Saddam Hussain's yacht 'Basrah Breeze' to be converted into hotel

Former president of Iraq Saddam Hussein's 82 meters 'Basrah Breeze' yacht will be converted into a hotel after it failed to attract buyers.

The ship was kept for sale from 2010 after Iraq got it following a court battle. The yacht was put on the market for $30 million.

For several years, the ship was kept for sale but no buyers showed interest owing toits price.

The "Basra Breeze" is equipped with a presidential suite comprising private quarters which were made especiallyfor Saddam. It has dining rooms, bedrooms, as well as 17 smaller guest rooms.

For the ships' crew, it has 18 cabins and a clinic which is well-equipped.

The captain of the ship Abdul-Zahra Abdul-Mahdi Saleh informed media that the yacht is in a good and functional condition; its two engines and generators also work efficiently.

Authorities have now decided to moor it permanently as a hotel for southern port's pilots, many of whom live in distant cities.

The yacht was built in 1981 by Danish shipyard when Iraq was at war with Iran. Iraq tracked it down in the French resort of Nice where court seized it and sent it home.

Reports say that the Iraq dictator Saddam has never boarded this yacht.

(With inputs from Reuters)